Long Island high school football players get fitted for All-Star Classic uniforms

Long Island high school football players will buckle up the chinstraps one more time in their high school football careers.

The second annual National Football Foundation All-Star Classic is set to take place Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. at Hofstra University. The game features the top football players from Long Island going against the top football players from New York City.

On Monday night, Team Long Island’s players met at the Orlin & Cohen offices in Woodbury for their fittings for the game’s apparel.

It was broken up into stations, with fittings for jerseys, pants, cleats, helmets and then a station for their physicals.

“We brought them in tonight for fitting,” executive director Pete Blieberg said. “We have Riddell people sizing them for Axiom helmets, which is the best on the market. They’ll be getting that custom-built for every player. And we’re getting sizes for the uniforms so we can place the order, then we’re doing the city team tomorrow night. There’s already more excitement for the game than last year”

Head coaches from all over Long Island helped run these stations Monday. Sayville head coach Rob Hoss will be the head coach for Team Long Island. He was previously a head coach when the game was known as the Empire Challenge, and now with the game’s recent return, Hoss is thrilled for his return as well.

“It’s one of the greatest experiences for kids. Hoss said. ”It’s the last chance to play. Some of them will play other sports. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to show how good they really are, and the kids are going to play for each other and play for the Long Island name in front of the jersey.”

All the fitting that took place will lead to Team Long Island and Team New York City wearing college-themed jerseys and receiving new gear. In the game’s return last year, it was Michigan vs. Ohio State themed. This year will feature a different combination that will be announced closer to the date of the game.

“It’s awesome and it’s memories they’ll have forever,” Ward Melville head coach Chris Boltrek said. “All the brand-new gear they are getting, not everyone gets mementos like that for a sport they love, so it’s really special.”

Many of the top Long Island football players will be pursuing other sports in college. Not only is it the last opportunity to play football, for some of them it’s the last chance to play with teammates they’ve grown up with.

“Devin [Paccione] and I are both playing receiver, so we get to share the field one more time,” Wantagh senior Joe Nicholson said. “Hopefully, we catch some touchdown passes together against the city. This game also allows us to play with some amazing players who we haven’t played with, and it’s awesome.”